Folding vehicle.



PATENTED AUG. zo, 1907. R. J. EHLBRS.

FOLDING VEHICLE.

APPLICATION FILED 00T.5. 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

A r. Il

PATBNTE'D AUG. zo, 190?.

R. J. BHLERS. FOLDING VEHICLE. APPLIUATION FILED 00T.5. 1906.

' 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

l v4 y mhmmmmmmmmmmminl EEE UNITED.V STATES PATENT EEroE.

ROBERT r. EHLERS,

OF NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TOEMIL GUNDELACH,

, NEW YORK, N. Y;

FOLDING ramona. 1

To all whom 'it muy concern Be it knownthat I, Roxanne* .L v Euless, a citizen of the United States; and a resident of the city of New York, (borough of Manhattan) in the county and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Folding Vehicle, oi which the following is aiull, clear,rand exact description.

The invention relates to baby carriages, and I similar vehicles, and itsvobject is to provide a new and improved Vfolding vehicle, arranged to securely hold the parts in position when extended, and tp allow quick changing of the vehicle from an extended to a folding position and vice versa, the vehicle when folded form# ing an exceedingly compact fiat parcel, which can be conveniently carried about or stored in a small space, or packed into a suit case, trunk or the like.

The invention consists of novel features and parte and combinations of the same, which will be more fully and then pointeda out in the section oi the improvement on .the line 3`3 oi Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a sectional side elevation of partici the im` provement on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2; Fig; 5 is a Arear side elevation ofthe gearing? for the right hand side of i the vehicle, and Fig. 6 is an enlarged transverse section of the improvement, showing more particularly the mounting of a carriage' wheel on the wheel support.

The bed frame of the vehicle consists preferably of the two spaced side bars A, A connected with each other by cross barsA2, A3, A4, A5, so as to render the bed frame as rigid as possible. The wheel supportsB and B are arranged in such a manner that each carries` the hont and rear wheel of one side of the Vehicle, `that is, the wheel support B carries the hont and rear wheels Gand C ci the left side oi the vehicle, while the wheel support B carries the front and rear wheels'G, 0 3 of the right hand side of the vehicle. The iwheel supports B and B are provided with longitudinally extending tubular pivots 132,133 mounted to swing on the side bars A. and A, and from the said tubular pivots depend the tubular arms B4, B5, B, B, respctiveiy-, on which th wheels G. C and C?, C3 are yieldingly mounted, as hereinafter more fully described. Thei sides D and D ofthe vehicle are adapted to be folded inward onto the top of the vehicle bed, and for this purl pose the side D isprovided with the tubular pivots D3,

D3, Dk, of which the pivots D2, are mounted to swing Specification of Letters Patent.. Y,Applicationilledihitolier,1906. Serial No. 837,640.

. From the foregoing it will be seen that Patented Aug. 20, 1907.

on the side arm A, lwhile the pivot D3 is mounted to swing on the pivot B of the wheel support B. The' side D is provided with similar pivots D5, D and D", of which the pivots D5 and D" are mounted to swing on the side bar A, whilethe pivot'D is mounted to swing on the pivot B3 of the wh'eel support B. i 1

The handle E has the terminals E, E2 of its side arms mounted to swing on the outer ends of the cross bar A4 of the-bed trarne, and on the said terminals E E2 are secured the mutilated bevel gear wheels F and F, of

. which the mutilated gear wheel F is adapted to mesh with bevel gear wheels G and H, and the mutilatedl gear wheel F is adapted to mesh with bevel gear wheels Gl and H. cured on the pivots B'* and B3 of the 'wheel supports B and B and the bevel gear wheels H and H are secured 'en the pivots D and D1 of the sides D and D. When the handlelE is in the extended position illustrated in 'the drawings, then the mutilated gear Wheel F is in mesh with the bevel gear wheel H but out of mesh with the bevel gear wheel G, arid the mutilated gear wheel F is in mesh with both bevel gear wheels G/"and H.'

. Now when the handle E is swung. forward in alongitudin-al direction the mutilated gear wheels F and F are turned and consequently the bevel gear WheelsH, H and Gf, to swing the sides D and D inward and downward onto the top of the bed oi the vehicle and atl the same time swinging the wheel supportD inward and upward under the bed ofthe vehicle, andat this time --the mutilated bevel gear wheel F meshes with the bevel gear wheel G, so that the wheel support B is caused to swing upward and inward, to Ifold upon the under side of the other wheel support B already in a folded position. i

the sides D and D as well as one of the wheelsupports swings into a folded position, and then the other wheel support follows, to prevent the wheel supports from interfering one with the other, on moving into a folded position.

The toothless portions of the mutilated gear wheels F, F and'G, G are eonvexed and c oncaved respec tively to form Geneva stops, so that during the time the' wheel support B. swings into a folding position the gear wheel G is held against turning by the convex and concave'portions of the bevel gear wheels F and G being in mesh at the time, and after the wheel support B is folded it is held in this position by the convex and concave' portions of the bevel gear wheels F and G being in mesh at this time'.

support B is first held' against movement while the The bevel gear ywheels G and G are se-A In a like manner the wheel los It will also be noticed that by the arrangement described the wheel supports, the sides and the handle E are folded to form an exceedingly compact flat parcel, Which can be conveniently carried about, stored in a small space or packed into a suit case, trunk or the like,

for transportation' or other purposes.l When the handle E is swung upward and rearward then the wheel supposition the following arrangement is made: In the tubular cross bars A5 and A3 are mounted to slide transversely the locking bolts I, I and l2, I3, of which the locking bolts I and I engage apertures in theterminals E, E2 ofthe frame E, so as to lock the same inan extended position. The locking bolts l2 and I3 are adapted to pass through apertures in the pivots B2, D34

, and B3, D6 respectively (see Fig'. 3), to lock the wheel supports B andl B as well as the sides D Iand D in extended positions. Each set oi bolts I, I and '12, I3 is held in locking osition by the springs 1,1 (see Fig.- 3),

andthe inner eny ls of the bolts are pivotally connected by links K, K with arms L secured on a longitudinally extending shaft N mounted to turn in suitable bearings arranged on the cross bars 'A3,A5 (see Fig. 2). The rear end of this shaft N is provided with a handle N which when turned causes simultaneous withdrawal of the two sets of bolts I, I" and I2, I3 to simultaneously unlock the handle E, the wheel supports B and B and the sides D, D to allow of swinging the handle E into a folded position as above described, thus causing the folding of the wheel supports as well as the sides, as previously explained. When the handle 1E is swung back into the extended position together with the wheel-supp"orts B. B and the sides D, D then the spring-pressed 'bolts I, l and I?, I3 immediately snap into locking position bythe action oi their sp1-ings.

J, J, so that the several-parts are locked in the extended' position without assistance on the part of the operator.

Each ol the wheels C, C, C2, C3 'is mounted to turn on an axle (l4 (sec Figf 6) secured on a bearing O mounted to slide in the correspondingly tubular arms B", B5, B, B7 o f the wheel supports B, B, and the said bearing O is pressed on by a spring P concealed in the corresponding tubular arm. The outer sliding move- 1 ment oi the bearing O in the corresponding tubular arm is prevented by a suitable stop B8 arranged on the lower end of the tubular arm. Now when the vehicle is loaded it is evident that the springs P are pressed formed in the corresponding tubular arms B4, B, B7,

to hold the wheels in proper alinement. The bottom Q of the vehicle bed may be of any suitable material and supported on the cross bars A2, A, A4 and A5, and the back Q connected with the upper end of the handle E is arranged to allow opening and closing ol Athe handle as previously explained.

'llie folding vehicle shown and described is very ysimple in construction and can be readily and conveniently extended or folded by the operator, and

is only necessary to turn the handles N and E tor unlocking the parts and for folding or extending the same as above mentioned.

Having'thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A folding vehicle, comprising a bed, sides pivoted to the bed and capable ot folding onto the top thereof, wheel supports each `carrying the wheels of one yside of the vehicle, the said wheel supports being capable of folding onto the under side of the bed, a handle mounted to swing longitudinally on the said bed, andmeans for connecting the said handle with the said side wheel supports` and with the said sides to fold or extend the same.

2,. folding vehicle, comprising a bed, wheel'supports, each carrying the .wheels of one side of vthe vehicle, the said wheel supports being pivoted to the bed to swing transversely thereon, a handle mounted to swing longitudinally on the said-bed, and means connecting the said handle with the said Wheel supports to swing the latter in` succession into a folded or extended position relative to the said bed.

3." A folding vehicle,l comprising a bed, wheel supports, each carrying the wheels of one side of the vehicle, the said wheel supports beingmounted to swing transversely on the said bed, a handle mounted to swing longitudinally on the said bed, and meansconnecting the said handle with the said wheel supports to swing the latter successively into a folded or extended position relative to the said bed.

4. A folding vehicle, comprising a` bed, wheel supports each carrying the .wheels of one side of the vehicle, the said wheel supports being'mounted to swing transversely on the said bed, a handle mounted to swing longitudinally on the said bed, means connecting the said handle with thesaid wheel supports to swing the latter successively into a folded or extended position relative to the said bed. and a manually controlled locking device for locking the said wheel-,supports and the said handle in an extended position. l

5. A folding vehicle, comprising a bed, sides pivoted 'to the bed and capable of folding onto the top thereon, wheel supports each carrying the wheels of one side of'the vehicle, the said wheel supports being capable of'folding onto the under side of the bed, a handle mounted to swing longitudinally on the said bed,-means for connecting the said handle with the said side wheel supports and with the said sides to fold or extendthe same, and manually controlled means on the said'bed for simultaneous engagement with the said sides, the wheel supports and the said handle to lock the said several parts in an extended posiA tion.

6. A folding vehicle, comprising a bed,'sides mounted to swing transversely to fold onto the top of the bed, a handle mounted to swing longitudinally, and means connecting the handle With-lt'hesaid sides to swing the same into a folding or extended position. 1j

7. A folding vehicle, comprising a bed, sides mounted to swing tieinsversely to fold onto the top of the bed, a handle mounted to swing longitudinally, 'and means connecting the Ahandle with the said sides to swing the seing into a folding or extended position on swinging the handle onto afolded o1' extended position.

S. A folding vehicle, comprising a bed, sides mounted to swing transversely to fold onto the top of the bed, a handle mounted to swing longitudinally, means connectingv the handle with the said sides toswing the same into a folding or extended position, and a manually controlled locking,rk device on the said vbed for locking the sides and handle in an extended position. 1 .s

9. A folding vehicle, comprising a bed, sides capable of foldingY onto the top of the said bed, wheel supports each carrying the wheels of one side o f the vehicle, the said wheel supportsbeing capable of folding onto -the under side of the bed, a handle mounted to swing longitudinally on the said bed, and means for connecting the said handle with the said side wheel supports and with the said `sides to fold or extend the same, the said means iirst moving wone ,wheelV support and the said sides simultaneously into a folded position and then the other Wheel support. l

' vehicle and mounted to swing transversely on the said side bars, a handle mounted to swing longitudinally on the said hed, and a gearing connecting the'said handle with the said wheel supports whereby to swing the supports in succes- Son.

'11. A folding vehicle comprising a hed having side hars and cross bars rigidly connected with the said side hars. wheel supports each carrying the wheels of one side of the vhicle and mounted to swing,r transversely on the said side bars, a handle mounted 'toA swing longitudinally onthe'said bed, a gearing connecting the said handle with the saidY f wh'eel supports, the said gearing comprising vgear wheels secured'on the handle at the pivotal end thereof, and gear wheels on the pivots'of the said wheel supports.

12. A folding vehicle comprising hed having side hars and cross hars rigidly connected with thc said side hars, wheel supports each carrying the wheels of one side of the vehicle and mounted to swing transversely on the said side bars, a handle mounted to swing longitudinally on thc said hed, ai gearing connecting the said handle with the said wheel supports, the said gearing comprising mutilated gear wheels on the pivots of the said wheel supports.

13. A folding vehicle comprising a hed havingr side hars and cross hars rigidly connected with the said side hars, wheel supports each carrying the wheels of one side ol the vehicle and mounted to swing transversely on the said side hars, sids mounted to swing transversely on the pivotal portions of the said wheel supports, a handle mounted to swing longitudinally on the said hed, and a gearing counecting the said handles with the said wheel supports and the said sides.

14. A folding vehicle comprising a hed having.: side hars and cross bars rigidlyconncctcd with the said side hars. wheelsupports each carrying the wheels of-onc 'side of the vehicle and mounted to swing transversely on the said side hars, sides mounted to swing transversely on the pivotal portions of the said wheel supports, a handle mounted to swing longitudinally on the said hed, a gearing connecting the said handles with the said wheel supports and the said sides, the said gearingcomprising gear wheels on the fulcrum end of the said handle, and gear 'wheels ou Aihc wheel support and the said sides.

15. A folding vehicle comprising a bed having side hars and cross hars rigidly connected with the said side hars, wheel supports cach carrying the wheels oi one side of the vehicle and mounted to swing transversely on the said side hars, sides mounted to swing transversely on the pivotal portions of the said wheel supports, a handle mounted to swing longitudinallyon the said bed, 'n gearing connecting the said handles with the said wheel supports and .tlie sain sides, the said gearing comprising mutilated gear wheels on the fulcrum end of thc said handle, and gear wheels on the wheel support'and the said sides.

1G. A foldingvehiclc comprising a bed having side hars and cross hars rigidly connected with the said side hars. wheel supports each carrying the wheels of one side of the vehicle and mounted to swing transversely on the said hars, a handle mounted to swing longitudinally on the said hed, a gearing connecting ihe said handle withvthf` said wheel supports whereby to swiuLr the snpporls in succes.

sionv and a manually controlled locking' device on the said hed for locking ilu` said handle and the said wheel supports in position. I

17. A folding vehicle comprising 1 hed having side bars and cross hars rigidly connerled with'the said side hars, wheel supports each carrying the wheels of one side of the vehicle and mounted to swingr transversely on the said side hars, sides mounted to swing transversely on the pivotal portions of the said wheel supports, a handle mounted io swing longitudinally -on ille said bed, a gearing connecting the said handles with the said wheel supports and the said sides. and a manually controlled lockinf.,r device on the said hed for locking the said handle, the said wheel supports and the said shle supports in' position.

is, A folding vehicle comprising' a'. hed having side hars and cross hars rigidly connected with the said side bars, wheel supports each carnvincr tht` wheels of one side of the vehicle and mounted to swing transversely on ythe said side hars, a handle mounled to swing longitudinally on the said hed, a gein-ilus,- conm-.ctmsr the said handle with the said wheel supports, a.manuallycontrolled locking device on the said hed for locking the said handle and the'said wheel supports iu position, the said lockinglr device comprising spring pressed holts slidahic in the cross hars o f the said holly and adapted to engage the said handle and the said wheel supports, a longitudinal shaft journaled on the said cross hars, and a connection heiween the said shaft. and the said holi.s,-

1S). A folding vehicle comprising a bed having side hars and cross bars'rigidly,connected with the said side hars, wheel supports each carrying the wheels of one side of the vehicle and mounted to swing transversely ou thc said side hars, sides mounted to swine; transversely on the pivotal portions of the said wheel supports, a handle mounted to swing longitudinally ou the said hed, a se: v'ing connecting the said handles with the said wheel supports and the said sides. and a manually controlled locking device on the said hed for locking the said handle, the said wheel supports and the said sido supports in position, the said lock,

ing device comprising spring-pressed bolts slidahle in the said cross hars and adapted to engage the said handle, the said wheel supports and the said sides, a handled shaft extending longitudinally and journaled in the said cross hars, and connections hetween the said shai'l and the said holis.

20. A vehicle provided with a wheel support having a luhulnr arm, a wheel, an axle for the wheel io turn on, a hearing carrying.;l the said axle and mounted to slide in the said arm, a spring in the said arm and restingr on the said hearing, the said arm having a stop for limitingl the out ward sliding movement .of the said hearing in the said arm.

1n testimony whereof l have signed my name to this specification in the presence oi' two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT J. EIILERS.

Witnesses Timo. (i. llos'run, Evnxmnn B. MARSHALL. 

